This paper presents a numerical model for the evaporation and pyrolysis of a single droplet of pyrolysis oil derived from biomass. Continuous thermodynamics theory for multi-component droplet evaporation is used, with the fuel being represented by four fractions: organic acids, aldehydes/ketones, water, and pyrolytic lignin, each of which is described by a separate distribution function. Pyrolysis of the lignin fraction is included, and detailed properties for all fractions are presented. The model is compared with the results of suspended droplet experiments, and is shown to give good predictions of the times of the major events in the lifetime of a droplet. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.